Cerano (NO), 1932
Enzo Mari is an artist before he is a designer. He works as a designer in architecture studios to support himself and then frequents the Brera Academy. In 1953 he had his first one man show in Milan. He then abandoned painting to become an influential exponent of Programmed and Kinetic Art. In the late 1950s, he made contact with Bruno Danese and they presented their first objects in small series, such as their Putrella tray (1957). His hundreds of projects are all marked by a strong theoretical approach and comprise children’s books, graphics, kitchen utensils, table accessories, and furnishings for Alessi, Driade, Hermés, Zanotta, and Zani & Zani. He has won four Golden Compass Awards.